Eradicating Human Trafficking in
Government Contractor Supply Chains

More than 20 million men, women, and children are victims of severe forms of human trafficking.

The Bush and Obama Administrations tirelessly sought greater public awareness of this global scourge, and with strong bipartisan support were adamant that US tax dollars never, ever be used to support human trafficking in its many forms – bonded labor, forced labor, child labor, sex trafficking.

This zero tolerance policy gained teeth in early 2015 with enhancements to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), which now require many federal contractors to certify their human trafficking compliance when awarded contracts, and periodically throughout contract performance.

The United States has a particular duty to fight this scourge because trafficking in persons is an affront to the principles of human dignity and liberty, upon which this nation was founded.

– Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Defeating human trafficking is a great moral calling of our time, and under President Bush's leadership, the United States is leading a new abolitionist movement to end the sordid trade in human beings.

– Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Today we are again called by conscience to end the debasement of our fellow men and women. As in the 19th century, committed abolitionists around the world have come together in a global movement to confront this repulsive crime. President George W. Bush has committed the United States Government to lead in combating this serious 21st century challenge.

– Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

The United States Government has a particular duty, because human trafficking is an affront to the defining promise of our country.

– President George W. Bush

Trade in human beings continues in our time, and we are called by conscience and compassion to bring this cruel practice to an end.

– President George W. Bush

Trade in human beings brings suffering to the innocent and shame to our country, and we will lead the fight against it.

– President George W. Bush

American tax dollars must never, ever be used to support the trafficking of human beings. We will have zero tolerance. We mean what we say. We will enforce it.

– President Barack Obama

People from all walks of life are trafficked every day, and the United States is committed to remaining a leader in the global movement to end this abhorrent practice.

– President Barack Obama

It's stunning, it’s outrageous that even today, the magnitude of the human trafficking challenge cannot be overstated.

– Secretary of State John Kerry

I’ll direct the federal agencies that have a role in preventing human trafficking to take a hard look at the resources and personnel that they’re currently devoting to this fight. Now they are devoting a lot, but we’re going to be devoting more.

– President Donald Trump

I want to make it clear today that my administration will focus on ending the absolutely horrific practice of human trafficking. I am prepared to bring the full force and weight of our government … whatever we can do, in order to solve this horrific problem.